A sculptor has honoured the chairwoman of the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital by inviting her to sit for her portrait.

Avril Vellacott, a founder member of the Teddington Artists group, decided to create a clay bust of Pamela Bryant during a summer exhibition at the National Physical Laboratory.

The professional sculptor is currently half way through the work and has not yet fixed a date to unveil it.

She has also undertaken many other commissions, including a portrait of Noel Coward in Teddington Library.

Mrs Bryant, who will need to sit for up to 12 separate hours during the work, is a community stalwart and has worked tirelessly to promote the hospital.

The Teddington Artists said it was delighted to pay tribute to a “deserving and outstanding lady”.